Senate Democrats request extension to government healthcare open enrollment

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A group of 10 Senate Democrats asked President Obama to extend the Affordable Care Act's open-enrollment period as a result of the persistent problems with the website that's supposed to be helping uninsured Americans.

McCaskill has supported the ACA since day one, and while that hasn't changed, she says the roll-out of the Obamacare website has been challenging because of persistent glitches which has made it difficult for people to sign up.

"It's unfortunate, but they're working to get it fixed. The good news is you have until March to do this," she said.

However, because of the website problems, a coalition of Senate Democrats is urging the president to extend Obamacare's enrollment deadline past march. New Hampshire Senator Jean Shaheen is leading the effort.

"The roll out has been a disaster, and so what I am proposing is that we extend the enrollment, so we can make sure we get as many people who want health insurance enroll and be covered," she said.

Nine others joined Shaheen in backing the extension. Four of these Democrats are facing difficult re-elections next year in traditionally red states.

Senate democrats turned down the notion to extend the deadline for Obamacare enrollment when the GOP suggested it weeks ago.

While public support for Obamacare has improved since the summer, a FOX News poll shows a majority of Americans still oppose it, with the biggest reason being they don't feel it's right for the government to require health insurance. McCaskill contends it's a matter of personal responsibility.

"The notion we require you to buy car insurance but somehow you don't need to be responsible for your health doesn't make sense to me," she said.

The same group of Democrats asking the president for an extension also suggested a partial delay of the individual mandate for Obamacare.